Old new riders.

[keithandjool]

Hello everyone from Keith and Julie.

My wife and I started riding at the age of 40 (Julie) and 45 (Keith) and we are now totally obsessed.
We have been having one hour lessons a week plus treking in Wales and at Cannock Chase.
Learning has been hard work but enjoyable. My only regret is that I didn't start twenty years ago!

I have been dipping into this forum all year, it is very informative and interesting to read about other peoples experiences.

Unfortunately we have had to stop our lessons this year for financial reasons but hope to get as much trekking as we can in.
My son is just coming five so we hope to start him on lessons. Hope he likes it as much as his parents.

Happy riding everyone.
Keith and Julie

[Miriam]

Welcome to NR

[HairyCob]

Welcome to NR Keith and Julie! I'm sure you will find everyone here very welcoming and helpful.

Shame you have had to stop your lessons, but at least you still get to trek for the time being- good idea to get your little one riding from an early age... get them addicted early enough and it keeps them out of trouble for life.....usually!!:D

[Ginger Thing]

Welcome to NR, fellow Midlanders!
Where have you been having lessons? I have been to various schools in the area over the years, and used to love trekking on Cannock Chase.Finally managed to get my own horse, who I keep in Sedgley, almost 2 years ago.
A word of warning - don't let your 5 year old anywhere near horses, or all you'll ever hear is 'can I have a pony,pleeeeease?'
(that was me, between the ages of 5 and 31!):D

[keithandjool]

Hi again.
Thanks for your replies.
Keith here.

Hairy Cob, I do hope riding can keep my boy out of trouble it's so easy for boys to fall in with the wrong crowd!

Hi Ginger Thing. We have been taking lessons at Foxhills on Barr Beacon. We are both up to canter and have had a couple of jumping lessons. The only other one we have had a lesson at is Torwood in Cheslyn Hay but they cancelled the following lesson because the horses were lame and we haven't heard from them since.
We visited Bourne Vale but haven't ridden there.

Where did you learn? Can you recommend anywhere?

[kedwards]

Welcome, both of you, to the board. It's always great to hear of other returning or beginning adults. I started lessons when I was 28 (hardly old, but still much older than most of the kids at the barn) and my other half finally gave in and took a few lessons for the first time this winter at 39, in preparation for a ranch trip. He had a great time, but doesn't plan to have riding as part of his normal routine (i.e., didn't return to lessons after the trip). Ah well, it was great seeing him out there while it lasted.

[Kady A]

Hi Keith and Julie - welcome to the gang. Good to hear some of us slightly older folks are getting in the saddle. I introduced my 47 year old brother in law to horses last summer - he's hooked. He LOVES my horse. Brilliant for a guy who had never even sat on a seaside donkey. I started work at an equestrian centre last year at the age of 39 and after spending nearly 20 years working in the legal profession - its never too late! I love our older pupils, we have one lady of 78 who comes for a weekly lesson and hack - I really admire them as it can take some guts to get in the saddle.

Enjoy your riding and NR, there's always someone nice to talk to here!

[keithandjool]

Hi Kedwards.
Keith here.

Two of our friends at the riding school got married in October and took their honeymoon on a ranch in Arizona. It sounded wonderful.
We plan to take a ranch holiday in the US when our boy gets a little older.

[keithandjool]

Hi Kady A.
Keith here.

I was quite frightened of horses when I started last February. It surprised me how easy I found it to actualy handle one close up. But at first I felt very unstable in anything other than walk. But now I love it. Hope I never have to stop.

[Kady A]

Morning Keith. Its lovely to hear how you have caught the "bug". I wish my husband would - he thinks my horse is "big, smells and has huge teeth"! Having said that we have been to look at a Friesian gelding - my dream horse - he took one look at him and said "wow ... thats a real horse!", maybe in time I will convert him!

Off to work now, no doubt I will be ankle deep in mud, complaining that my wheelbarrow has a flat tyre, who's nicked my shavings fork, whinging that it can't possibly be my turn to make the teas and coffees etc etc - it will all be worth it to spend some time with our four legged friends.

Looking forward to hearing how you and Julie get on with your riding.

[HAYLEY GITTOES]

Hi, and welcome to NR!